Also called basal cell carcinoma and others. A lump or sore on the lid that does not heal.
What it is
Skin cancers are common on the eyelids, because the skin there is thin and exposed to the sun. Most are basal cell carcinomas, which grow slowly and do not usually spread.
Symptoms
A lump or sore that does not heal, a pearly edge, crusting or bleeding, distorted lid margin, or loss of lashes in one spot.
Causes
Sun exposure over many years, fair skin, and previous skin cancers.
When to get it checked
Have any lump that bleeds, grows, or loses lashes checked promptly. Most are treatable, and earlier treatment means a smaller repair.
How it is checked
Every plan starts with an examination by a consultant, not a photograph or a questionnaire.
- Your consultant examines your lids, measures their height and position, and checks the surface of your eye and how well it closes. Photographs are taken for your record.
- What your consultant finds is explained in plain English, there and then.
- You leave with a written plan and, where treatment is right for you, a written fee.
- You are never asked to decide on the day.
If surgery is not the right answer, your consultant will say so, and explain what happens if you do nothing.
Questions patients ask
Do I need a referral?
No. You can request a consultation directly. A letter from your GP or optometrist is helpful if you have one, and your insurer may ask for it.
Will I need surgery?
Not always. Your consultant will explain whether treatment is needed, what each option involves, and what happens if you do nothing.
What happens at the consultation?
Your consultant examines your lids, measures their height and position, and checks the surface of your eye and how well it closes. Photographs are taken for your record. You leave with a written plan and fee, and time to decide.
How soon can I be seen?
The clinic team will offer the first suitable appointment, and sooner where your consultant judges it urgent.